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Game Box Top Creation

4 replies [Last post]
Fri, 06/07/2019 - 19:45
First Timer
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Joined: 10/09/2018

I'm at the stage now where I'm tossing around two ideas about my game box. My first idea is to take pictures of the game pieces, board and other associated components so I can display them in some way on the box top and sides, likely using a black background. I'm leaning towards this way due to the quick turnaround and "exactness" of the components that would be displayed on the box.

My other idea is to have the game pieces, board and other associated components drawn graphically in an overlay format in some manner.

Cost is not a concern as I want the game box to standout from most, if not all others.

My box bottom is going to be the standard blank white.

Questions I have:
1. Which is more popular?
2. Is there any advantage of one over the other as far as marketing?
3. Which idea would you use and why?
4. Are there other ideas I'm not realizing or thinking of?

Thanks

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Sat, 06/08/2019 - 08:40
#1
I Will Never Gr...
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Joined: 04/23/2015
Hang on ...

First Timer wrote:
I'm at the stage now where I'm tossing around two ideas about my game box. My first idea is to take pictures of the game pieces, board and other associated components so I can display them in some way on the box top and sides, likely using a black background. I'm leaning towards this way due to the quick turnaround and "exactness" of the components that would be displayed on the box.

That sounds like something that would go on the back of the box, along with your short description and hook, copyright info, website/contact info, barcode, country of manufacture, etc.

Quote:
My other idea is to have the game pieces, board and other associated components drawn graphically in an overlay format in some manner.

Cost is not a concern as I want the game box to standout from most, if not all others.

My box bottom is going to be the standard blank white.

"Standard blank white" what? Box bottoms are never blank white unless it's a prototype.

Quote:

Questions I have:
1. Which is more popular?
2. Is there any advantage of one over the other as far as marketing?
3. Which idea would you use and why?
4. Are there other ideas I'm not realizing or thinking of?

Attention grabbing, thematic illustration on the box top/front with the games title (then much smaller, company logo, "designed by"). Game layout, brief description and hook, age, number of players, time to play, company logo, country of manufacture, bar code, copyright, etc, etc, etc on the bottom/back. Illustration matching/mimicking the front placed on the sides along with game name, age/# of players/time and company logo, possibly designed by.

You want to stand out, but you don't want it to look 'wrong' on the shelf along with other games.

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Sun, 06/09/2019 - 12:42
#2
Jay103
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Joined: 01/23/2018
I literally went into a game

I literally went into a game store and looked at a bunch of other people's boxes.

I went with large graphic that relates to my game, centered logo, and my company logo in the corner. That's it for the front. The back was a photo of a game in progress, text, icons, UPC, etc.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/251253/heroes-treasure/images

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Sun, 06/09/2019 - 14:14
#3
Tim Edwards
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Joined: 07/30/2015
I think photos of the actual

I think photos of the actual game on the cover is quite a retro approach. I'm imagining this kind of thing?

https://boardgamegeek.com/image/56180/junta

That's not to say it's a bad idea at all!

It might not be commonly done now, but your box will stand out as a result.

It's cheaper than commissioning lots more art.

From a different perspective, as a potential customer I can say this:
Personally, when I pick up a box, I'm most interested in seeing the actual game. If I can't see the game clearly on the box, I'll try to open the box. And if the box is taped shut and the shop assistant is nearby so I can't peak, I'll forget it. If I remember the name of the game, I might go online and see what it looks like...maybe. And then maybe I'll buy it later. Or maybe the moment has passed and I decide I can't really afford it...

So, I think your idea has a lot of merit, even though it's not in vogue. Certainly it would catch MY eye because it's different (now) and it shows me what I need to see.

So, now you've got completely conflicting advice. :)
Take mine with a pinch of salt maybe...I am probably eccentric.

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Sun, 06/09/2019 - 18:48
#4
ceethreepio
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Joined: 04/01/2019
Hmmm, let's think about this ...

First Timer wrote:
Cost is not a concern as I want the game box to standout from most, if not all others.

If cost is not a concern, why not simply hire a graphic designer and give them a brief?

Obviously, I don't know what your game is, or whom you intend to sell to, if even if you intend to sell it. Is it intended to be sold in board game store around the world? If so, have you come across many games with 'standard blank white' bottoms? A simply game pieces on black? I mean, maybe ... Hive? the packaging for Hive is pretty low key, and minimalist in its look, but that fits very well with the game itself.

Why not pick up an existing game, that's somewhat similar, in category/style/no.players/time etc, and take a good look at what they do - what the art looks like, what's on the top, the sides, the back? What iconography they use etc

First Timer wrote:
I'm leaning towards this way due to the quick turnaround and "exactness" of the components that would be displayed on the box.

Uh, this cover will define your game for all the new players out there. People will judge your entire game on the cover. It will almost certainly define whether or not anyone picks up your game. Whilst 'quickness' and 'exactness' are nice-to-have-qualities, I'd humbly suggest 'attractiveness', 'intriguingness' and 'gorgeousness' might want to rank higher on your scale.

To answer your questions directly
1. Don't do either.
2. Both are bad from a marketing perspective.
3. Neither. Hire a graphic designer, tell them everything about your game, and everything about your customer, and the ultimate message you want your prospective customers to get about your game as they glance across the cover.
4. See above.

Nick

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